Westar Energy plans to increase its rates starting in June to cover the costs of its environmental projects.

The Kansas Corporation Commission on Thursday approved a $10.8 million increase in Westar’s environmental cost recovery rider, for a total of about $68.6 million. The increase will cost the average customer about an extra $4.07 a year.

The increases are for 12 environmental upgrades at Jeffrey Energy Center, six at Lawrence Energy Center, one at Tecumseh Energy Center and one at Gordon Evans Energy Center, a natural gas plant near Colwich.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports tariffs are approved with a simplified process that doesn’t require the public hearings involved in a general rate increase. No groups opposed the tariff amount.